Chapter: The Beginning and End of the Daily Fast

Allah, Exalted is He, says: “It has been made lawful for you, on the night of the fast, to be intimate with your wives. They are a garment for you and you are a garment for them. Allah knew that you had been betraying yourselves, so He turned to you in mercy and pardoned you. Now, therefore, lie with them and seek what Allah has ordained for you; and eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread of night. Then complete the fast until nightfall.”

Imam Ibn Kathir (d. 774 AH) said: “This verse is a concession from Allah to the Muslims and a lifting of the restriction that existed at the beginning of Islam. At first, when someone broke his fast, he was allowed to eat, drink, and have marital relations only until the ‘Isha prayer or until he fell asleep before that. If he slept or prayed ‘Isha, food, drink, and intercourse became prohibited for him until the following night. They found this exceedingly difficult, so the present verse was revealed, and they rejoiced greatly. Allah thus permitted eating, drinking, and marital relations during any part of the night the fasting person wishes—until the light of dawn becomes distinct from the darkness of night.”}